THE QUEEN AND MRS STAUNTON.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 299, 27 February 1878, Page 4

THE QUEEN AND MRS STAUNTON.

Ox the Sunday preceding the day fixed for the execution of the Stanntons, the mother of the two men travelled alone t> Balmoral, in order to obtain an interview with the Queen and nesccch c emency for her wretched sons, so at least says Touchstone. On reaching Ballate - , after [saving Aberdeen, the Ifcst 'Station some twelve miles from Balmoral, the 1 poor woman sought some conveyance to take her the remainder ot the journey. Nothing could be obtained, and'the people, on hearing the melancholy mission of the unfortunate mother, shewed their sympathy by obtaining for her a seat on the mail bag in the little •cart, which contained one small seat for the driver. The mail bag was thrown •into the cart, and the poor woman was allowed to seat herself upon it. So she Travelled through the cold and dismal night the twelve dreary miles to Balmoral On reaching the Castle, the next and formidable difficulty that mot her was obtaining an audience of the Queen. After explaining the object of her journey to the attendants, she at last obtained an interview with Sir Thomas Biddnlph, who, after patiently listening to what she had to say, promised to let the Queen immediately know the objected her being at the Castle. With little delay the Queen, setting aside all etiquette anti formality, entered the apartment in which Mrs Staunton was seated, and with a true Sovereign’s and woman’s heart listened to the appeal and humble prayer of one other subjects in deep distress. The poor petitioner prayed for mercy, and that the lives of her children might be spared. The Queen no doubt with an aching heart, could only explain that she was entirely in the hands of her responsible Minister. Tins painful interview ended, the petitioner, grateful for the condescension and sympathy of her Sovereign, sought how to return to Ballater, heart-broken that the fast hope of saving her wretched sons had failed her. The servants enquired how she intended getting back the twelve miles to Ballater. There was no convey mice, and they plainly saw the poor woman was quite incapable of walking the distance. Again the Queen was informed of the circumstances, and with that consideration so characteristic of her nature, she ordered that one of tier own carriages should be got ready to take Mrs Staunton back. Scarcely had the poor mother left the Castle when the mail bag containing Her Majesty’s letters and despatches was opened, and. to the gratification and relief of the Queen, the Home Secretary’s despatch reecirmeiuling the reprieve was amongst the number. The lonely mother went on her way back, worn out and dejected. The Queen at once instructed a sjrecial messenger to proceed' ozi horseback an cl take the ghi<l tidings to her sister in sorrow. Such deeds require no comment, but raise the Monarch to the highest eminence. Mrs Staunton, on reaching Ballater, was instantly informed of the glad tidings, and that the mail bag on which she had sal with a bleeding heart contained the reprieve which she had travelled so many miles to obtain, finch is a simple account of an episode in the life of the Queen, well harmonising with all that her subjects already know of her.